CORSAIR Scimitar Elite Wireless SE MMO Gaming Mouse Review — At The Tip Of Your Thumb

As gaming mice go, the brief is usually pretty standard. Click stuff on the screen, yet it’s here where gamers have gradually grown braver about what they expect from one of the simplest peripherals. Corsair is no stranger to the game, and their latest offering feels like a clever blend of functionality and convenience. The Scimitar Elite Wireless SE gaming mouse is a modern take, blending what a traditional mouse can do with some versatile inclusions. 

Made for gamers who love their MMOs, the Scimitar Elite Wireless SE is ready for the raid. Along with the typical mouse set-up – two mouse keys and a scroll wheel, the gaming mouse also features another 13 programmable keys. It’s definitely not new to see a mouse with more functionality, but what I like here is how dialled in it is. By any stretch, this isn’t a typical gamer mouse oozing that typical overzealous energy. The Scimitar Elite is dialled in and feels like a great blend of style and convenience.

Having spent the better part of a month with the Scimitar Elite Wireless SE MMO Gaming Mouse, it was surprising how easily it fit into my gaming and even work routine. 

Out of the box, the Scimitar Elite includes the mouse unit, a wireless USB receiver, a 30cm USB cable, and a tool for adjusting the keypad position. The instruction manual is accessed via a QR code found on the lip of the packaging. As a mouse, it’s plug and play with the USB receiver, but Bluetooth is also an option. One can switch between the receiver and Bluetooth via a switch on the bottom. It’s available in black or white, with each unit featuring a full RGB light array for that added customisation.

To fully unlock the functionality of the Scimitar Elite gaming mouse, you will need to have the iCUE Software installed. Not only does this allow you to take control of the mouse’s RGB light customisations but it’s also the gateway to programming how the extra buttons work. That’s not all, though – the extra 12 keys on the side of the mouse can also function as a native Stream Deck, via the same software that Stream Decks use. It’s a decent way to streamline the process of setting up the Scimitar Elite, especially if you’ve used a Stream Deck before. This wasn’t my first rodeo with iCUE, so having the software ready to go helped a lot. Not only was the mouse set-up accessible here, but it also allows you to instantly match it to your preestablished light profile easily. If you’re new to iCUE, there is definitely a light learning curve.

The Stream Deck integration is a tidy inclusion, though I still found myself relying on the onscreen prompter visual and having to look between that and the mouse. My best learning here is to start off with around 3 buttons mapped for tasks that you can get used to and build out from there. The key panel also features illuminated numbers, though these are only helpful at a glance, obviously. The onscreen visual for the Steam Deck integration also helps a lot, floating above windows as a guide for what buttons do what. You can even set this to appear and disappear via the keypad.

From the moment I set the mouse down on my desk, it’s pretty hard not to be fascinated by its design. As I mentioned earlier, the Scimitar Elite doesn’t fit the typical gamer style, but it delivers the same performance. Thanks to four low-friction synthetic pads on the bottom, it glides across a mouse pad or desk surface with ease. In the hand, it also feels comfortable, thanks to its curved design that melds into one’s palm. The scroll wheel feels great, thanks to it’s rubber coating that makes it feel very easy to grip, adjust and click.

Even the keypad on the left side is placed with an inward curve so your thumb has a spot to rest. There’s even the option to move the keypad for maximum comfort, no matter how big your hand is. This is a huge plus since you will want to memorise that keypad to get the most out of the mouse. To help on this front, there’s even a difference in the tactile feeling of each row of buttons. I did find the keypad somewhat jittery, which might add to the urge to fidget with it during use, especially outside of games.

I also can’t not go into how this functions as an MMO mouse. While I’m not the biggest MMO player, I dipped my toes back into Final Fantasy XIV Online and found the setup to be as easy as rebinding favoured Hotbar Actions to the keypad on the mouse. Even for less-used actions, it was possible to nest these with another key press. I trialled this on my Astrologian and a newer account with little issue. The conveyance of the mousepad buttons will suit anyone who wants a convenient way to pilot their characters with ease.

It does feel like a larger mouse, so players seeking something more agile may find the Schimitar Elite a bit limiting, even with its ability to glide across most surfaces with ease. The marksman sensor does, however, feel very responsive, so it’s certainly not a deal breaker for FPS games. The mouse also has the ability to memorise DPI settings and macros between games, should you need to fine-tune that sensitivity or kit. I found this incredibly convenient for Valorant, specifically, as it limits the jerk reaction you might typically encounter without altering game settings endlessly.

The Scimitar Elite does boast a battery life of around 150 hours, which is only if the unit’s RGB lights are turned off. The lights do chew through the battery considerably, but the mouse attains a full charge after 90 minutes. It is also worth noting that while charging, the mouse can still be used comfortably. The charging port is positioned to mimic typical cable mice, thankfully.

As gaming mice go, the Scimitar Elite holds its own as a gaming mouse and even as a day-to-day mouse. While it’s on the bigger side, it glides almost effortlessly and feels comfortable in the palm. The Steam Deck integration is a very welcome inclusion, too, allowing actions such as opening a program or taking a screenshot to be a mere keypad press away. The trade-off here is the learning curve with at least 12 buttons at the tip of your thumb, but the onscreen visual helps with the uptake. While MMO gamers are the favourite here, other game genres will find the Scimitar Elite to be an easy contender and even more so as an agile mouse for day-to-day use.